Albums That Deserve Another Listen
Mimi & Richard Farina - Celebrations For A Grey Day (1965)
01 - Dandelion River Run
02 - Pack Up Your Sorrows
03 - Tommy Makem Fantasy
04 - Michael, Andrew And James
05 - Dog Blue
06 - V
07 - One Way Ticket
08 - Hamish
09 - Another Country
10 - Tuileries
11 - The Falcon
12 - Reno Nevada
13 - Celebration For A Grey Day
Autoharp, Guitar – Mimi Farina
Dulcimer – Richard Farina
Electric Guitar – Bruce Langhorne
Bass – Russ Savakus
Piano – Charles Small
The first album by the husband and wife folk duo, Richard & Mimi Farina. Recorded in 1965 and released on Fontana (UK) and Vanguard (USA & Canada).
It's a beautiful and very original album. Pure folk, but with the addition of Vanguard studio musicians on some tracks, also leaning towards the folk/rock that was growing in popularity at the time. The album was well received and took the Farinas to the forefront of the US folk music circuit, appearing on TV shows like Pete Seeger's Rainbow Quest, and the Newport Folk Festival.
Unfortunately it didn't last long. The Farinas recorded two more LPs and by April 1966 it was all over when Richard was killed in a motorcycle accident. Mimi continued with a moderately successful career as a folk singer - often performing alongside her sister Joan Baez - up until her death from cancer in 2001.
Looks interesting Bob will take a listen thanks Reb
ReplyDeletereb.jukebox, I hope you enjoy it, I have it on CD in my car and often play it when driving, it's lovely music.
DeleteNot known to me but I trust your taste, thanks Bob Mac
ReplyDeleteIt's different to the usual music I put up her Little Bill, I hope you enjoy it.
DeleteNice one Bob, thanks. Richard also wrote a novel called 'Been Down So Long Looks Like Up to Me', and Mimi made an excellent album with Tom Jans in 1971, which seemed to be on every turntable in the college dorms back then.
ReplyDeleteHi Mike, have you read Richard's novel? If you have is it any good? I've never come across a copy. I do have the Mimi & Tom Jans record you mention, and may put it up here if there's enough interest.
DeleteI did read Farina's novel back in the day. Don't remember too much about it except that I enjoyed it. Sort of a continuation of the Kerouac, beat generation vibe. Unfortunately the book itself has been lost in one of the many apartment moves I made back then.
DeleteI read a lot of those beat gen books, Kerouac, Burroughs, as Jim Eckhardt had them at the US Consulate. I got to read loads of great books through knowing Jim.
DeleteNice selection Bob. I was introduced to their music by my girlfriend in 1970. Brings back some great memories.
ReplyDeleteYes I had a similar introduction, back in late 60s I was dating a folkie/beatnik girl and she had stacks of LPs...Farinas, Dylan, Tom Paxton, Dave Von Ronk, all these kinds of artists, so she certainly broadened my musical tastes.
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